Andrew Boylan
Ceist:81 Mr. Boylan asked the Minister for Defence the members of the Council of Defence; when they last met; and the number of times they have met since 1 July 1997. [9303/98]
Written Answers. - Council of Defence.
The Council of Defence is provided for under section 11 of Defence Act, 1954. The purpose of the council is to aid and counsel the Minister for Defence. The council is chaired by the Minister for Defence and the members of the council are the Minister of State at the Department of Defence, the Secretary General of the Department, and the Chief of Staff, Adjutant-General and Quartermaster-General.
While the council has not been formally convened in the period referred to, members of the council regularly meet individually and jointly. Successive Ministers of Defence have met with the council members in this way as part of ongoing administration, management and decision-making in relation to defence matters.